Linacre WeBS- December 2013

I arrived at Linacre at 7.30am yesterday morning, so that I could fill up the feeders around the ringing site before the last WeBS count of 2013. As I did, the sun came up and so I took this lovely photo.

Linacre sunrise

 

At 8.30am I met up with Mandy from the Chesterfield RSPB Group, and we spent the next two hours walking around all three reservoirs. Duck numbers were high again, especially Mallard (140, the highest this year) Tufted Duck (60) and Mandarin Duck (40). Also present were: Grey Heron (3, the highest count of the year), Coot (12), Moorhen (13, the highest, and only double figure count of the year), Goosander (3; 2 males and 1 redhead), Black-headed Gull (43, all roosting on the water, so no chance to see any colour rings!!), a possible Kingfisher that we heard, but didn't see, and Pied Wagtail (1 over).

 

The Crossbills were present again (15-20 today), as were Redwing (c30 flew out of a Holly tree, possibly from a roost), Fieldfare, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Treecreeper and Mistle Thrush.